Air Force plan would ruin Gila Wilderness Area

Holloman Air Force Base (AFB) is planning training exercises in the Silver City area on a scale that would devastate the peace, quiet and solitude that make our state’s largest and oldest Wilderness Area and the surrounding communities so special.

While publicly available information is meager, we understand they plan to conduct 10,000 overflights annually, including low-altitude jets screaming 500 feet above the forest and 2,000 feet above wilderness areas. They propose to drop 30,000 flares each year and “defensive chaff” while doing so. Their proposal would mean that the Gila National Forest would look and sound like a war zone.

The U.S. Air Force is obligated to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, which requires public involvement. They have done a poor job so far and need to do better.

Holloman AFB did not notify New Mexico Wild of this proposal, nor did they inform the Grant or Catron County commissions. They didn’t hold a public meeting in Silver City, the population center closest to their proposed activities. In fact, the public scoping period had already closed by the time we discovered what they were trying to do.

We immediately drafted a letter to Holloman AFB, asking that the scoping period be reopened and extended and that they hold a public meeting in Silver City to explain to concerned citizens exactly what they are proposing, why it is necessary, and why they think this is an appropriate place for supersonic jets and incendiary devices. We did not receive a response to our request. We requested a private meeting from Holloman officials but have not heard back.

They ultimately agreed to attend a special Grant County Commission meeting on November 14, but the public will not be allowed to speak.

Has Holloman seriously investigated Department of Defense lands to assess if the objectives of their training mission can be accomplished somewhere more appropriate?

What would be the implications of this to wildlife, habitat, and hunting?

How would this disruption impact local businesses such as outdoor retailers and outfitters?

What about the effect on local governments and economies that depend on recreationists and tourists?

What is the fire risk associated with spraying 30,000 magnesium flares over the forest each year?

What are the environmental consequences to human health, wildlife, water and the land from chromium- and lead-filled chaff?

We’re proud to have so many veterans as members. Veteran’s groups have been strong allies of ours in the battle for public lands, including for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. They know that the peace and beauty of protected public lands offers solace and healing for many returning combat veterans. How ironic and devastating it would be to take this away from them.